November 20, 2012

Nowitzki hopes Kidd receives "a nice ovation'' from Mavs fans

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki said point guard Jason Kidd never told him why he decided not to return and play for the Mavs after first saying that he would finish his career with the Mavs.

Kidd, 39, reneged on a verbal agreement to sign a three-year, $9 million free agent contract with the Mavs this past summer. Instead, Kidd decided to sign a similar contract with the New York Knicks.

"I think that’s something that he just felt like it was something he had to do, a decision that he made with his agent, with his family,'' Nowitkzi said Tuesday. "He loves New York, he’s been in New York for a long time of his career, he feels comfortable there.''

Kidd and Nowitzki worked beautiful music together en route to the Mavs winning the 2011 NBA championship. For that, Nowitzki hopes the Mavs' fans show some dignity and give Kidd the proper salute when Dallas entertains the Knicks at 7:30 Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.

"I think he was a big part of bringing a championship here,'' Nowitzki said. "I’m never a big fan of booing people.

"That’s not how I envision sports. So hopefully he’s going to get a nice ovation.''

Nowitzki viewed Kidd as the straw that stirred the Mavs, and as one of the greatest professional athletes to come through Dallas, regarding of sports.

"He played his heart out every game,'' Nowitkzi said. "If it was a preseason game or a road game in Charlotte, he was always there for us.

"He was a big key, his defense, his leadership, his passing was a big key when we won it all.''

Nowitzki has even noticed how Kidd has used his high basketball IQ to transform the Knicks into the NBA's best team.

"I’m happy for him, it looks like he’s moving well,'' Nowitzki said. "I've watched one or two games, and so far he’s moving well, he’s making good decisions, he’s shooting the ball well.